To provide a surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide for a cathode active material for a lithium ion secondary cell, which is excellent in volume capacity density, safety, durability for charge and discharge cycles and an excellent rate property, and its production process.Particles of a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the formula: LipNxMyOzFa, wherein N is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Ni, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, alkaline earth metal elements and transition metal elements other than N, 0.9≦p≦1.3, 0.9≦x≦2.0, 0≦y≦0.1, 1.9≦z≦4.2, and 0≦a≦0.05, are impregnated with a solution containing a lanthanoid source and a titanium source, followed by heat treatment at from 550 to 1,000° C., to prepare a surface modified lithium-containing composite oxide having a highly crystalline lithium lanthanoid titanium composite oxide having a perovskite structure containing no fluorine contained in the surface layer of the particles.